DON ORANGE

In a beautiful re-purposed downtown building, architect Karim Benjamin has realized his vision for a Mexican-themed restaurant serving elevated South of the Border fare. The sleek and artistic interior features vibrant murals and decorative décor with a Day of the Dead theme.

In our chat, Karim describes his vision for Don Orange and some of the struggles he’s had owning and operating a restaurant. On more than one occasion, he and his team have needed to change course and reinvent the eatery, which strives to offer both traditional dishes and those with a modern twist.

I also take viewers into the kitchen while it is fully operational so they can see a few of the most popular menu items being created. These include fresh guacamole and a variety of tacos such as the Cheesy Birria, Shrimp and Soyrizo (vegetarian) versions.

During the episode, I also get to watch some of the beautiful signature cocktails being created at the DO bar.

Finally, I take the opportunity of speaking with some of the restaurant’s most loyal customers to hear what their favorite dishes are and why DO is one of their favorite places.